Chapter 33: Zhu Ying: Brothers, will you follow me to annihilate the invaders!

“The Duke of Song speaks truly.”

“Li Tao’s actions are utterly despicable.”

“If Zhu Ying truly becomes surrounded and cannot return, then I would indeed believe Li Tao’s words—that Zhu Ying is stubborn and refuses to listen to counsel.”

“But now, from Zhu Ying’s battlefield results, it is clear that Li Tao disobeys military orders and fears death.”

“I believe he must be severely punished,” Bu Wan immediately said.

“Li Tao is a soldier of the Danning frontier army, under your jurisdiction, Bu Prefect. Handle his punishment as you see fit,” Feng Sheng nodded, saying no more.

He was merely a Battalion Commander; Feng Sheng naturally paid him no great attention.

“I accept your command,” Bu Wan immediately replied.

“Bu Prefect.”

“Tell me about Danning Prefecture’s defensive situation,” Feng Sheng asked with a smile.

“Your Grace.”

“Previously, when we launched the northern campaign against the Tartars, our fifty thousand frontier troops of Danning Prefecture were divided into two forces: twenty thousand marched north to strike the Tartars and secure Danning’s peace, while thirty thousand remained to garrison the prefecture and eradicate all bandit threats within its borders.”

“Now, as the Northern Yuan advances, their vanguard has already begun attacking Huizhou City, with forces numbering no less than fifty thousand.”

…

Bu Wan reported to Feng Sheng the current troop strength and defensive posture of Danning Prefecture.

Of course.

During his report, Bu Wan also grew noticeably more at ease.

Before Feng Sheng arrived,

the safety of Danning Prefecture and all blame rested solely on his shoulders—if the prefecture truly fell to the Yuan court, his guilt would be immense.

But now that Feng Sheng had arrived, all military affairs were under his command, and all regional forces fell under his control; thus, no blame could be laid upon Bu Wan.

“Hmm.”

“With Danning’s current defenses, we can hold until my twenty thousand troops arrive.”

“Moreover,”

“Zhu Ying’s proposed surprise strike strategy—sending over ten thousand troops to raid Liaodong—”

“may also prove effective.”

“For now, defense remains our priority,” Feng Sheng said gravely.

“Grand General, your wisdom is unmatched.”

All generals chorused in unison.

“Enough.”

“Issue my order.”

“Accelerate the march of all forces.”

“All troops must converge at Huizhou within ten days. Any delay beyond that will be punished as dereliction of military duty,” Feng Sheng declared to the officers in the hall.

“We obey your command.”

All generals chorused in unison.

“Also,”

“Send a memorial to Yingtian, informing His Majesty that I have arrived safely and have begun preparations to crush Naha Chu.”

“Let His Majesty rest assured.”

“Moreover,”

“Report the military achievements of Danning Prefecture to the court—especially Zhu Ying’s victory against the Tartar tribes and the valor of our Danning frontier troops,” Feng Sheng added, instructing his personal guard.

“I obey,” the guard commander immediately replied.

“Now we wait for the main army to arrive, then we shift from defense to offense.”

“Naha Chu.”

“The Emperor once showed him grace, yet he repaid it with ingratitude.”

“It is time to settle this,” Feng Sheng’s eyes flashed with cold fury.

He had come specifically to exterminate Naha Chu.

…

Northern Frontier, within the territory of the Jianzhou Tartars!

“Report!”

“Reporting, Garrison Commander.”

“Tartar cavalry spotted three li behind us.”

“They appear to be tracking our hoofprints.”

“They will reach us within a single incense stick’s time. Please give your orders.”

Liu Lei rode up and reported loudly.

“How many Tartars?” Zhu Ying asked immediately.

“Thanks to your prior order to deliberately mislead by stamping hoofprints east and west, the Tartars have been confused—this group numbers no more than five thousand.”

“But I have not yet determined the total number of Tartars dispatched to pursue us,” Liu Lei reported respectfully.

“Though the Tartars mobilize all able-bodied men, they remain wary of our Great Ming—they would never commit their entire force to pursuit.”

“Moreover, not all Tartars are cavalry. Even with their own horse pastures, twenty thousand cavalry is already a formidable number,” Zhu Ying smiled faintly, unmoved by the news of the Tartar advance.

“Garrison Commander,”

“What do we do next?”

The Battalion Commanders gathered around, watching Zhu Ying expectantly.

Last night’s raid succeeded—four thousand soldiers returned without a single casualty.

This had instilled deep reverence for Zhu Ying in every soldier.

Zhu Ying glanced toward the direction from which the Tartars approached, a cold expression crossing his face: “We leave none alive.”

“Gentlemen, will you fight with me?”

Zhu Ying smiled coldly and drew his long saber.

“We swear to follow you to death!”

All Battalion Commanders chorused.

“Mount up!”

Zhu Ying laughed and leapt onto his horse.

The surrounding soldiers swiftly mounted as well.

“Brothers,”

“You’ve eaten, you’ve rested.”

“But we are deep in barbarian land—any slip means utter ruin.”

“Scouts report the Tartar cavalry is closing in.”

“If you want to live, if you want to go home, you must slaughter them all.”

“Will you, my brothers, stand with me, Zhu Ying, to face the Tartars?”

“Will you annihilate the invaders?” Zhu Ying scanned the ranks and roared.

“We swear to follow you to death!”

Four thousand soldiers roared in unison.

United as one, their killing intent surged to the heavens.

“Good.”

“Wounded soldiers hold the rear. All troops form an offensive formation around me. Archers, ready your bows.”

Zhu Ying barked.

Four thousand cavalry swiftly repositioned, dispersing into units around Zhu Ying, each archer drawing his bow, forming an offensive line.

After a moment’s pause,

in the distance,

a thunder of hooves rolled toward them.

Dozens of Tartar cavalrymen, clad in leather armor and wielding long spears, charged swiftly forward.

As they drew nearer,

the Tartar commander spotted the disciplined Ming cavalry arrayed ahead.

“The Ming are right there!”

“My sons!”

“These cursed Ming slaughtered our people, destroyed our tribes!”

“Kill them all!”

“Send a scout back immediately to report to the Myriarch—tell him to summon troops and encircle the Ming!”

“Kill—”

The Tartar commander roared.

He spurred his troops into a furious charge.

Of course.

In their own Tartar territory, they had deployed the Wan Army to pursue us; as long as they could hold back the Ming troops ahead, they could annihilate them completely.

“Tartars.”

Zhu Ying spat out two cold words.

His hand had already gripped the Bao Diao Bow.

Five arrows were already nocked on the bow.

With his current strength of nearly a thousand jin, the Bao Diao Bow was effortlessly drawn to full moon.

The soldiers behind and to either side of Zhu Ying also drew their bows, waiting for their Garrison Commander’s signal.

Finally!

As the Tartar cavalry charged forward, they were now less than a hundred steps away.

“Kill!”

Zhu Ying roared.

His voice cracked like thunder, echoing across the northern frontier.

The arrow in his hand shot free instantly.

Straight ahead.

Five arrows flew through the air.

The five Tartars at the front had no time to react; their leather armor was pierced instantly, and all five were impaled, falling from their horses.

“Slain Tartar cavalry: +20 Strength.”

“Slain Tartar cavalry: +20 Constitution.”

“Slain Tartar cavalry…”

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(End of Chapter)